John and DeNeil Botts' home on Hickory Street wasn't destroyed by the May 2019 tornado that hit Jefferson City, but there was substantial damage done.
"There wasn't a place on the house that didn't get hit by something," John Botts said.
Botts said he grew up in southwestern Oklahoma seeing a lot of tornadoes, but he had never been in one before the day his home was hit in the southside neighborhood of Jefferson City. Neighboring properties seemingly were hit harder, Botts said, but the most substantial damage to his house came from a large tree on the property that hit the home and deck.
The past year has been focused on the renovation, and Botts said the process has been "OK-ish." Problems with a contractor have led Botts and his wife, DeNeil, to take on the general contracting duties, which has lengthened the process.
"But it's coming along OK," Botts said.
It's actually better than that, as the house on Hickory Street was recently recognized with the Southside Pride Appearance Award, which is given quarterly by the Old Munichburg Association to recognize businesses and homeowners whose properties enhance the beauty and appearance of Jefferson City's historic Southside neighborhood.
"We wanted to recognize their efforts to restore their historic bungalow to its original beauty," said Laura Ward, of the Old Munichburg Association.
Because of public health concerns, there was no award ceremony. Instead, it was just Ward, John and DeNeil Botts planting the unique large dachshund yard sign that comes with the award. The award also comes with $25 in "Munichburg Bucks" that can be used at participating Southside businesses.
The renovation process has actually helped Botts find new features on the home, which he characterized as an "old craftsman house."
"Before the tornado, you could tell it was a neat old house, but they had covered all the old craftsman eaves," Botts said.
Now, as Botts continues working on the property, he said he and his wife hope their example will help inspire others.
"We hope it spurs more people in the area to fix up some of the old houses here," Botts said.
To be eligible for the award, the property must be located within the boundaries of the historic Southside neighborhood, and the property owner must agree to display the yard sign during the month of the award. As more are awarded, another requirement will be the property cannot have received an award the previous year in the same category.
The association covers the Old Munichburg area, which is 14 blocks located south of U.S. 50, west of Monroe and Poplar streets, north of Franklin Street and east of U.S. 54 West, but it also extends farther into the city's south side, going east to Jackson Street, south to Stadium Boulevard and west to Myrtle Street.
Nominations are submitted by the Appearance Award Committee to the Old Munichburg Association Board for approval.